Bhawanipatna: The Ujjwala programme of Central government has terribly failed in Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district. LED electrical bulbs are being provided to consumers at a subsidised price under this Central scheme in order to reduce electrical energy.
This yojana also provides a guarantee for a period of three years. In case of any defect found in the bulbs during the guarantee period, the government will take back defective bulbs and supply new bulbs. The scheme became popular and people had to stand in long queues to get the bulbs, which got damaged very soon.
There seems to have been no proper arrangement for returning the defective bulbs. It was provided to people at a subsidised price of Rs 70 whereas, the same is available at Rs 100 or more in the open market. The term of sale was to replace the defective bulbs against new ones on showing money receipt of the first purchase. People here are not able to spot the place where they can replace their defective bulbs.
When contacted, a senior WESCO officer said, ‘‘The problem has arisen because of change in the agency, which was earlier marketing the product. Hence, we are unable to do anything, even if many consumers are coming to us with their complaints’’.
PNN